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Jack Nicklaus doesn’t know – or care – who’s really world No. 1

JUPITER – Jack Nicklaus was the world’s best player during much of the 25-year window when he won a record 18 major championships.

But Nicklaus never was ranked the world’s No. 1 player because the computer rankings didn’t exist until 1986 – the year of his last major championship win, at age 46.

Nicklaus doesn’t feel like he missed out on anything because he can’t figure out how the world rankings work.

“I don’t think it means anything,” Nicklaus said Wednesday. “How could it mean a lot? Tiger (Woods) is No. 1 and hasn’t won a tournament all year.

“To me whoever is playing the best right now is the No. 1 player, not a bunch of computer rankings.”

On Wednesday morning, Nicklaus spent some time at the Bear’s Club to share his insights on the golf swing that won 18 major championships.

Nicklaus will be a guest on the Golf Channel’s “12 Nights at the Academy” series, where golf instructors and legends of the game, including Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer and Gary Player, will each perform 30-minute instruction shows that will air for 12 consecutive nights on Nov. 29-Dec. 10.

Nicklaus, who spoke after the shoot, is glad he doesn’t have to decide the world No. 1 right now.

On Oct. 31, Lee Westwood will end Woods’ five-year-plus reign at the top, but Westwood has played just two individual events since July.

Martin Kaymer, with three wins since August including the PGA Championship, has a strong case. But he also was trounced during Ryder Cup singles by Dustin Johnson.

U.S. Open winner Graeme McDowell is another option, as is Jim Furyk, who won the Tour Championship and FedEx Cup.

The World Golf Championships-HSBC Champions Nov. 4-7 in Shanghai, won by world No. 3 Phil Mickelson in last year, might provide an answer and could be one of the most-anticipated silly season events in some time.

“I don’t know who the best player would be right now,” Nicklaus said. “There really hasn’t been anybody that is the dominant No. 1 player right now. There’s about eight or 10 guys that really have played well.